Fence construction

ABSTRACT

A stringer for an off-set board-on-board fence having an inverted U-section elongated body having two mutually opposed sides depending from an intermediate adjoining portion having laterally off-set and longitudinally over-lapping first and second sets of spaced board slots extending flush with inside surfaces of the opposed sides for attaching fence boards of predetermined cross-section flush to the inside surfaces of the opposed sides of the stringer. The stringer has board fastening apertures in the opposed sides of the stringer to fasten the fence boards flush with the inside surfaces of the opposed sides. The stringer has a plurality of bracket attachment apertures, preferably square, arranged longitudinally from end to end, between the first and second sets of board slots for attaching post brackets at each end of the stringer. A stringer support of each opposing bracket is within range of one bracket attachment aperture at each end of the stringer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/243,579, filed Sep. 23, 2011, which claims thebenefit of the filing date of Canadian Patent Application No. 2717783,filed Oct. 15, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a fence construction, and in particular toa fence having horizontal stringers with vertical boards, and inparticular a board on board fence, also known as an alternating board onboard fence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The board on board fence or alternating board on board fence is a verywell known and widely used construction, usually being made entirely ofwood, with fence posts set in cement in the ground, with a pair ofhorizontal wooden stringers nailed to the posts, with fence boardsmutually spaced and secured in staggered relation on alternate sides ofthe stringers by nailing, and located to provide a visual barrier whenviewed ‘face-on’.

These types of fences are labour intensive, and over time, whenservicing is required, such as the replacement of some of the boards,the removal of defective boards can be most difficult. Also, where anyhardwood is used, the disassembly of damaged boards can proveexceedingly difficult, time consuming and destructive.

One attempt to overcome these deficiencies in board on board fences canbe found in US Pubn. 2007/0221903 (Robbins).

Robbins provides a pair of slotted metal stringers, each of differentprofile, one of which having a tubular profile and through which notchedfence boards are slid, with the board notches then engaging an end ofone of the stringer slots in the tubular stringer. A major drawback tothis fence is the use of standardized, prefabricated notched boards. Incase of damage to the fence in future years, the particularprecision-cut notched boards may not be readily available, while themanner of assembly, without the use of positive fasteners may lead toboard movement under windy conditions, and the generation ofobjectionable noise, and general lack of fence strength. Further due tothe manner of board attachment, the addition of a new fence board orboards requires the removal of at least one stringer from both itssupporting fence posts, to enable the removal of the old board and theinsertion of the new board, and the return of the stringer into attachedrelation with the posts, a most difficult and burdensome task.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a board on board fence with two ormore fence stringers each having opposed stringer sides depending froman intermediate adjoining portion, the intermediate adjoining portionhaving a first set of longitudinally spaced board slots extending flushwith an inside surface of one of the opposed sides, and a second set oflongitudinally spaced board slots extending flush with an inside surfaceof another of the opposed sides for receiving fence boards in insertedrelation through the board slots. The first set of board slots and thesecond set of board slots are typically mutually spaced with the firstset of the board slots and the second set of board slots beinglongitudinally off-set to form a visual barrier when viewed “face on”.The outermost sides of boards inserted through the board slots aresecured flush with the inside surface of the respective stringer side.

Board fastening apertures in the stringer sides are positioned adjacentthe respective slots to receive board screws, bolts, rivets or otherfasteners for insertion into the inserted boards, in securing relationwith the boards, to hold the outermost sides of the boards insubstantially vertical, flush, supporting, engagement with the insidesurfaces of the stringer sides.

The stringers need not be manufactured such that the stringer sides arestrictly vertical when the stringers (without inserted fence boards) areattached to their supporting fence posts, provided that stringer sidescan be drawn into substantially vertical flush supporting engagementwith the inserted fence boards by board screw or other fasteners throughthe board fastening apertures in the stringer sides. Stringer sides maybe angled inwardly or outwardly to the extent that the stringer sidesare still capable of being drawn substantially vertical, which isdependant upon the type and thickness of metal used to make thestringer. For example, the stringer sides of an aluminum stringer of athickness between approximately 0.062″ to 0.125″ can be angled inwardlyor outwardly by 10° from vertical (when installed between fence postswithout fence boards inserted therein), that is between 80° to 100° fromhorizontal (when installed between fence posts without fence boardstherein). Those skilled in the art will recognize other metals, metalthicknesses, and stringer side angles which will suffice.

In one aspect stringer sides are angled inwardly, wherein stringer sideshold the fence boards in place for fastening the fence boards to thestringer sides. In this aspect each fence board is firstly insertedthrough a board slot in an upper stringer and then secondly insertedinto a vertically corresponding board slot in a lower stringer, whereinthe fence board is then held in place via a friction fit for attachingthe fence board to the upper and the lower stringers. Depending upon thepressure exerted on the fence board only one of the two stringer sidesadjacent each fence board may need to be so inwardly angled, however ifthe stringer sides are so angled for all board slots for each fenceboard the amount of pressure required by each such angled stringer sideis minimized thereby reducing the resistance necessary to overcome todraw stringer sides substantially vertical and flush with the insertedfence boards.

Typically fence boards, especially of wood, vary slightly in width andthe fence board slots in the stringers will usually be sized toaccommodate the fence boards of a highest predetermined thickness.Accordingly, in order to ensure that all predetermined thicknesses offence boards are held in place for fastening to the stringer sides, afree lower edge of at least one stringer side of each stringer should bebent inwardly from vertical a distance of at least slightly greater thanthe difference between the width of the board slots and the narrowestpredetermined thickness of the fence boards anticipated to be insertedtherein.

In use, the ends of the fence stringers are attached to fence posts,preferably aluminum fence posts, set into the ground, preferably inconcrete, being secured to the fence posts by way of brackets thatattach to the open ends of the fence stringers.

In one aspect the brackets have an enclosure portion to enclose thefence post, and a projecting stringer support for attachment to theintermediate adjoining portion of an end of the fence stringer.

In another aspect the stringer support of the brackets is verticallyoffset from the bracket enclosure portion by a maximum of one half theheight of the enclosure portion of the brackets, whereby in the case ofan intermediate fence post two stringers may be attached at the samelevel, by inverting one bracket in relation to an adjoining bracket, sothat the projecting stringer supports are substantially level one withthe other resulting in the respective attached stringers being alsomutually level. To that end, in one aspect the stringer supports of thebrackets are of box section, to provide an upper and a lower attachmentsurface to which the stringers are attachable.

The intermediate adjoining portion of the stringers has a series ofbracket attachment apertures spaced along its length, for attaching thestringer supports to the fence stringer, and enabling stringers beingcut to any required length from longer lengths of stringer stock inmanufacture or in the field, ensuring that when the brackets areattached to two supporting fence posts that at least one of the bracketattachment apertures at each end of the stringer will always be withinrange of the stringer aperture in the stringer support of the bracketattached to each end of the stringer. In one aspect the bracketattachment apertures are square, for the insertion and immobilization ofcarriage bolts. In another aspect the bracket attachment apertures areslotted, in the longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal sidesof the bracket attachment apertures engage two opposite sides of thesquare portion of an inserted carriage bolt, to immobilize itrotationally.

Fence boards having a cross-section that fits within the stringer slotsare pre-cut to standard lengths and are available at most lumber andbuilding supply stores as ‘Fence boards’. The length of such boards areeasily shortened in the field as required. (whether wood, composite, orother material).

The upper and lower stringers are aligned so that the board slots of theupper stringer are aligned vertically with the corresponding slots inthe lower stringer.

The fence boards are inserted into place, each extending through thevertically aligned slots in the upper and the lower stringers.

Using an endless tensioned band, for example an elastic band or elasticcord, stretched around and joining the two fence posts of a section offence which is being assembled, the two sides of the band lie adjacentthe respective two off-set runs of boards, enabling the positioned bandsides each to serve as a datum for a respective run of boards, to whichdatums the tops of the boards are aligned.

The present invention provides a method of aligning the boards of afence to form a substantially level run of fence boards, consisting ofthe steps of attaching an endless band in tensioned relation about apair of spaced apart fence posts, having two sides of the band extendingsubstantially level and in mutually spaced parallel relation, at apredetermined distance above an uppermost fence stringer secured to theposts and bearing the boards in adjustable, supported relation;elevating one of the boards to position the top of the board inpredetermined relation with one side of the band, and securing thepositioned board to the stringer; and repeating this procedure for atleast one run of fence boards, to form a fence having a substantiallylevel board run.

In the case of the subject board-on-board fence, the other side of thetensioned band lies adjacent the second run of fence boards, and is usedas a datum for those boards, in the manner described above.

Single handed use of a screw driver and screw is facilitated using the“Robertson” screw having a tapered square head-recess, which is readilyretained in stable mounted relation upon a matched-tapered squaresection “Robertson” screwdriver bit, for manual or power toolapplication. However, the use of other screws and other fasteners andattachment tools is contemplated and would be known to those skilled inthe art.

The assembly of a fence segment, namely the portion of a fence sectionexcluding the posts, permits single-handed (i.e. one person)installation of both the stringers, the brackets and the fence boards,enabling the erection of a fence segment by a single person.

In the case of the bracket to be attached to each end of the stringer,they may be readily adjustably secured to the two fence posts at theirrespective desired heights and orientation. The ends of an upper and alower stringer are then placed over the respective stringer support ofeach bracket. One end of the stringer is then fastened to the stringersupport at that end and then the other end of the stringer is fastenedto the stringer support at the other end. The brackets are then verticalraised or lowered on the posts and adjusted for ‘level’ and tightened,and the stringers are then bolted in place.

Longitudinal registry of the securing carriage bolt is assured byproviding an elongated slot in the stringer support of the bracket,through which the carriage bolt is passed. Alternatively, the bracketattachment apertures of the stringer may be in the form of longitudinalslots, where the longitudinal sides of the slots are parallel to securethe square portion of the head of the carriage bolt against rotation(although in this case the stringer aperture need not be a square orslotted). However, fasteners other than carriage bolts are contemplatedand would be known to those skilled in the art.

In another aspect both the bracket attachment apertures of the stringerand the stringer aperture of the bracket may comprise slots for a longerrange of attachment. This may allow for more than one fastener to beattached for further strength or for greater adjustability. Othermethods for the attachment of the stringer to the posts arecontemplated.

Other forms of fence brackets include fence brackets having a pluralityof coplanar stringer supports extending laterally from an enclosureportion of the bracket. For a fence bracket for a square post thebracket may have one to four coplanar stringer supports, one extendingfrom each side of the enclosure portion of the bracket. Where a fencepost serves as a junction for more than two sections of fence theoff-set pair of inverted brackets will not suffice and brackets withthree, four or more coplaner stringer supports may be required.

This fence construction offers a number of unobvious advantages: thecomponents are all readily manufactured from stock materials, and usestock fasteners; the boards are of natural wood or of recycled plasticof common section, being readily available in pre-cut, measured lengthsat most lumber retailers; on-site erection is readily carried out by asingle person, with no particular skill requirements once the fenceposts are mounted in the ground (usually in concrete); The erected fenceis a stiff, strong structure with good resistance to weather attack(e.g. no rusting) of the fastening screws, and with the concealed outerface portions of the fence boards being kept dry within the stringer;and no rotting of aluminum post footings; in case of damage to thefence, individual boards are readily released from their attachment tothe stringers, and readily replaced. Where a tubular fence post isdamaged the provision of a tightly fitting sleeve, enables the damagedpost to be severed, the tightly fitting sleeve applied to the remainingstub of the original post, and a new fence post mounted to the sleeve.This provision avoids the undue labour of excavating the cement footing,and pouring a new footing. The use of an internal sleeve is preferred,for protective purposes. Post caps to seal off the top ends of the fenceposts are preferred, which may be of metal or plastic, and of a varietyof styles.

The novel features of the stringers, brackets and fence posts facilitateready installation of these elements, and the ready installation orreplacement of fence boards which suit a ‘do-it-yourselfer’.

The invention provides a fence stringer with a U-section elongated bodyhaving two mutually opposed sides, each of the opposed sides dependingfrom an intermediate adjoining portion, the intermediate adjoiningportion having a first set of mutually spaced board slots extendingalong an inside surface of one of the opposed sides, and a second set ofmutually spaced board slots extending along an inside surface of anotherof the opposed sides, the first set of board slots and the second set ofboard slots being of predetermined size for receiving fence boards ofpredetermined limited cross-section for attaching the fence boards flushto the inside surfaces of the opposed sides of the stringer.

In one aspect the opposed sides of the stringer are substantiallyperpendicular from a plane connecting an upper end of each stringerside.

In another aspect the stringers are manufactured with at least one ofthe two stringer sides of a resilient metal bent outwardly with aninternal angle of between 90 degrees to 100 degrees from a planeconnecting an upper end of each stringer side.

In another aspect the stringers are manufactured with at least one ofthe two stringer sides of a resilient metal bent inwardly with aninternal angle of between 80 degrees to 90 degrees from a planeconnecting an upper end of each stringer side.

In another aspect the stringers are manufactured with at least one ofthe two stringer sides of a resilient metal bent inwardly fromperpendicular to a plane connecting an upper end of each stringer sidefor holding the fence boards in place while attaching the fence boardsto the stringers

In another aspect a free lower edge of the at least one of the twostringers sides is bent inwardly from perpendicular to a planeconnecting an upper end of each stringer side a distance of greater thanthe difference between the width of the board slots less the narrowestpredetermined thickness of the fence boards to be inserted into theboard slots sufficient for holding the fence boards in place whileattaching the fence boards to the stringers.

In another aspect the free lower edge of the at least one of the twostringer sides is bent inwardly from perpendicular to the intermediateadjoining portion a distance of 1/16 inch greater than the differencebetween the width of the board slots less the narrowest predeterminedthickness of the fence boards to be inserted into the board slots forholding the fence boards in place while attaching the fence boards tothe stringers.

In another aspect the stringers are made of aluminum of thicknessbetween 0.062 inch to 0.125 inch.

In one aspect the invention further comprises board fastening aperturesin the opposed sides of the stringer, located in predetermined relationwith the first set of board slots and the second set of board slots, forinserting fasteners through the board fastening apertures and into thefence boards to secure the fence boards flush with the inside surfacesof the opposed stringer sides.

In one aspect of the invention the intermediate adjoining portion of theelongated body further comprises at least one bracket attachmentaperture between the first set of board slots and the second set ofboard slots at each end of the stringer for attaching each end of thestringer to a bracket to be secured to a fence post.

In another aspect of the invention the intermediate adjoining portion ofthe elongated body further comprises a plurality of bracket attachmentapertures arranged longitudinally between the first set of board slotsand the second set of board slots for providing at least one of theplurality of bracket attachment apertures at each end of one or moreshorter stringers cut at predetermined lengths from the stringer, forattaching each end of the shorter stringers to a bracket to be securedto a fence post.

In another aspect the intermediate adjoining portion of the elongatedbody further comprises a plurality of bracket attachment aperturesarranged longitudinally between the first set of board slots and thesecond set of board slots in regular, closely spaced relation, from oneend of the stringer to the other end of the stringer, for providing atleast one of the plurality of bracket attachment apertures at each endof a shorter stringer cut from the stringer at an arbitrary length, forattaching each end of the shorter stringer to a bracket to be secured toa fence post, the at least one of the plurality of bracket attachmentapertures at each end of the shorter stringer being within attachmentrange of one of the brackets

In one aspect the bracket attachment apertures are square for receivingcarriage bolts in entrained relation therein.

In another aspect the bracket attachment apertures are longitudinallyoriented slots. In another aspect the longitudinally oriented slots haveslot sides longitudinally parallel with each other for receiving acarriage bolt in non-rotatable relation therebetween.

In another aspect the upper surface of the stringer supports of thefence post brackets comprise grip ridges to hold the stringer supportsto the stringers even more firmly. However, where the off-set bracketsherein are used the lower surface of the box shaped stringer supportsalso comprise grip ridges for the same purpose when the off-set bracketsare used in an inverted position.

The invention also provides a fence stringer assembly comprising thefence stringer and further comprising a pair of the brackets forattaching each end of the stringer to one of the fence posts, thebrackets having an enclosure portion of predetermined size to enclose afence post of predetermined form, a stringer support connected to theenclosure portion for attaching one of the ends of the fence stringer tothe stringer support, and means for tightening the enclosure portionaround the fence post, the stringer support having a stringer aperturefor alignment with the bracket attachment aperture in one of the ends ofthe fence stringer, and fasteners passing therethrough attaching each ofthe brackets to the fence stringer.

In one aspect of the fence stringer assembly the stringer aperture inthe stringer support comprises a stringer aperture slot in alignmentwith the one or more bracket attachment apertures in the stringer,whereby the stringer aperture slot in the stringer support of eachbracket will always be in alignment with at least one of the bracketattachment apertures at each end of the fence stringer when theenclosure portion of each of the brackets is attached to one of thefence posts.

In one aspect of the fence stringer assembly the bracket enclosureportion of the bracket comprises a neck for tightening the enclosureportion around the fence post, the neck portion connecting the enclosureportion to the stringer support.

In one aspect of the fence stringer assembly the neck comprises neckapertures. In one aspect of the fence stringer assembly the stringersupport of the bracket is off-set from said enclosure portion of thebracket, whereby in use, with the enclosure portion secured to the fencepost at a predetermined first elevation, the stringer support willproject from the fence post at a different, second elevation, whereinthe stringer support off-set is of predetermined value such that a pairof the brackets mounted in mutually adjoining, relatively reversedrelation upon a fence post may have the stringer supports projectingfrom the fence post in mutually laterally aligned relation, to enableopposing fence stringers to be mutually aligned.

The invention also provides a fence section comprising the stringerassembly and comprises the fence posts attached to each end of the fencestringers by the brackets.

In one aspect of the fence section at least one of the fence posts isset in cement in the ground, and has a removable sleeve connecting alower portion of the post with an upper portion of the post.

In another aspect of the fence section the fence post is tubular and thesleeve is located within the lower portion and the upper portion of thefence post.

The invention also provides a method of repairing a damaged tubularfence post set in cement in the ground, wherein the fence post isdamaged at a location above ground, including the steps of severing thefence post at a location below said damage leaving a remainder portionof the post set in the cement; inserting a tube downwardly in closefitting relation within the post remainder portion so as to have aprojecting tube portion of said tube projecting above the remainderportion; and applying a further portion of another fence post downwardlyover the projecting tube portion, to extend substantially verticallyupwardly in supported relation.

The invention also provides a board-on-board fence comprising a pair ofhorizontally oriented fence stringers in vertically spaced, mutuallyparallel relation, each fence stringer having an inverted U-sectionelongated body having two mutually opposed sides, each of the opposedsides depending downwardly from an intermediate adjoining portion, theintermediate adjoining portion having a first set of mutually spacedboard slots extending flush with an inside surface of one opposed sideof the intermediate adjoining portion and a second set of mutuallyspaced board slots extending flush with an inside surface of anotheropposed side of the intermediate adjoining portion, the first set ofboard slots being in off-set longitudinally overlapping relation to thesecond set of board slots, the first set of board slots and the secondset of board slots being of predetermined size for receiving fenceboards of predetermined limited cross-section, the first and secondboard slots comprising fence boards vertically secured therein, each endof each pair of fence stringers connected to a bracket, each bracketattached to one of two supporting fence posts.

The invention also provides a method of aligning fence boards of a fenceto form a substantially level run of fence boards, consisting of thesteps of attaching an endless band in tensioned relation about a pair ofspaced apart fence posts, having two sides of the band extendingsubstantially level and in mutually spaced parallel relation, at apredetermined distance above a fence stringer secured to the posts andbearing the fence boards in adjustable, supported relation; elevatingindividual ones of the fence boards so as to position the top of thefence board in predetermined relation with one of the bands, andsecuring the thus positioned fence board to the fence stringer; andrepeating this procedure for at least one run of fence boards, to form afence having a substantially level board run.

The invention also provides a kit for erecting a portion of a fencebetween two fence posts mounted in the ground comprising the fencestringer and further comprising a pair of the brackets for attachingeach end of the stringer to one of the fence posts, the brackets havingan enclosure portion of predetermined size to enclose a fence post ofpredetermined form, a stringer support connected to the enclosureportion for attaching one of the ends of the fence stringer to thestringer support, and means for tightening the enclosure portion aroundthe fence post, the stringer support having a stringer aperture foralignment with the bracket attachment aperture in one of the ends of thefence stringer, and comprising carriage bolts for attaching each of thebrackets to the fence stringer.

In one aspect of the kit the stringer aperture in the stringer supportcomprises a stringer aperture slot for alignment with the one or morebracket attachment apertures in the stringer, whereby the stringeraperture slot in the stringer support of each bracket will always be inalignment with at least one of the bracket attachment apertures at eachend of the fence stringer when the enclosure portion of each of thebrackets is attached to one of the fence posts.

In another aspect of the kit the bracket enclosure portion of thebracket comprises a neck for tightening the enclosure portion around thefence post, the neck for connecting the enclosure portion to thestringer support.

In one aspect of the kit the stringer support of the bracket is off-setfrom said enclosure portion of the bracket, whereby in use, with theenclosure portion secured to the fence post at a predetermined firstelevation, the stringer support will project from the fence post at adifferent, second elevation. In another aspect of the kit the stringersupport off-set is of predetermined value such that a pair of thebrackets mounted in mutually adjoining, relatively reversed relationupon a fence post have the stringer supports projecting from the fencepost in mutually laterally aligned relation, to enable opposing fencestringers to be mutually aligned.

The invention also provides for a bracket for attaching the fencestringer to a fence post, the bracket comprising an enclosure portion ofpredetermined size to enclose a fence post of predetermined form, astringer support connected to the enclosure portion for attaching one ofthe ends of the fence stringer to the stringer support, and means fortightening the enclosure portion around the fence post, the stringersupport having a stringer aperture for alignment with the bracketattachment aperture in one of the ends of the fence stringer forattaching each of the brackets to the fence stringer with bolts.

In one aspect of the bracket the stringer aperture in the stringersupport comprises a stringer aperture slot for alignment with the one ormore bracket attachment apertures in the stringer, whereby the stringeraperture slot in the stringer support will always be in alignment withat least one of the bracket attachment apertures at either end of thefence stringer when the enclosure portion of the bracket is attached toeither of the fence posts.

In one aspect of the bracket the bracket enclosure portion of thebracket comprises a neck for tightening the enclosure portion around thefence post, the neck for connecting the enclosure portion to thestringer support.

In one aspect of the bracket the stringer support of the bracket isoff-set from said enclosure portion of the bracket, whereby in use, withthe enclosure portion secured to the fence post at a predetermined firstelevation, the stringer support will project from the fence post at adifferent, second elevation.

In another aspect of the bracket the stringer support off-set is ofpredetermined value such that a pair of the brackets mounted in mutuallyadjoining, relatively reversed relation upon a fence post have thestringer supports projecting from the fence post in mutually laterallyaligned relation, to enable opposing fence stringers to be mutuallyaligned.

Other aspects of the invention will be understood by those skilled inthe art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way ofillustration, without limiting the scope of the invention, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a subject fence stringer inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional end elevation view of the subject stringer showinga portion of a fence board in secured relation with the stringer;

FIG. 3 is a sectional end view of a second embodiment of the stringer;

FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of a third embodiment of the stringer;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented sectional end view of a pair of stringers of afourth embodiment with fence boards inserted into the board slotsawaiting fastening to the stringers;

FIG. 6 is a fragmented sectional end view of the pair of stringers ofthe fourth embodiment with fence boards inserted into the board slotswherein initially inwardly angled stringer sides have been substantiallyvertically fastened to the adjacent fence boards;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an off-set fence post bracket with onestringer support;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 7, in an unboltedcondition;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fence post bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the fence post bracket of FIG. 7 showing theone offset stringer support;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of portions of a subject fence underconstruction;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternate fence post bracket with twostringer supports at 0 and 180 degrees;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an alternate fence post bracket with twostringer supports at 0 and 90 degrees;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an alternate fence post bracket with threestringer supports at 0, 90, and 180 degrees, with neck aperture boltsremoved; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an alternate fence post bracket with fourstringer supports at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, with neck aperturebolts removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, a fence stringer 10 is cut to lengthfrom stock, to extend between two fence posts 12. The stringer 10 is ofinverted U-section, with opposed stringer sides 14 and intermediateadjoining portion 16. The intermediate adjoining portion 16 has two setsof board slots, 18, 19 a first set of board slots 18 and a second set ofboard slots 19 located flush with inside surfaces 15 of opposed stringersides 14, such that the outermost sides 20 of the board slots 18, 19 areflush with the inside surfaces 15 of the stringer sides 14. A series ofequi-spaced bracket attachment apertures 22 extend longitudinally alongthe intermediate adjoining portion 16, preferably along the longitudinalcentre line of the intermediate adjoining portion, between the first setof board slots 18 and the second set of board slots 19, the bracketattachment apertures 22 being sized to receive a fastener, preferably acarriage bolt 23 (see FIG. 2).

Board screws 21 (FIG. 2) secure the fence boards 25 to the fencestringer 10, securing the fence boards 25 flush against the insidesurface 15 of stringer side 14 of the fence stringer 10. FIGS. 1 and 2show stringer 10 with a planer intermediate adjoining portion 16 andparallel opposing stringer sides 14 perpendicular to the intermediateadjoining portion 16.

FIG. 3 shows stringer 60 with intermediate adjoining portion 16 withfirst and second sets of board slots 18, 19 and depending outwardly bentstringer sides 62. Stringer sides 62 have free lower edges 58 and upperends 59 and board fastening apertures 24. Stringer sides 62 are bentoutwardly at an internal angle of between 90 degrees and 100 degreesfrom horizontal “B”. Stringer sides 62 are drawn substantially verticalwhen fastened to fence boards 25 by board screws 21 or other fastenerssuch as bolts. Metal stringer sides 62 must be resilient enough to bedrawn substantially vertical when fastened to fence boards 25, forexample, stringers made of aluminum of thickness between 0.062 inch to0.125 inch. FIG. 4 shows stringer 70 with intermediate adjoining portion16 with first and second sets of board slots 18, 19 and dependinginwardly bent stringer sides 72. Stringer sides 72 have free lower edges58 and upper ends 59 and board fastening apertures 24. Stringer sides 72are bent inwardly at an internal angle of between 80 degrees and 90degrees from horizontal “A”. Stringer sides 72 are drawn substantiallyvertical when fastened to fence boards 25 by board screws 21 or otherfasteners such as bolts. Metal stringer sides 72 must be resilientenough to be drawn substantially vertical when fastened to fence boards25, for example, stringers made of aluminum of thickness between 0.062inch to 0.125 inch.

FIG. 5 shows stringers 80 each having a horizontal intermediateadjoining portion 16 with central bracket attachment apertures 22 andfirst and second sets of board slots 18, 19, and one depending verticalstringer side 82 and one inwardly angled stringer side 84 for holdingfence boards 25 in place while stringer sides 84 are fastened to fenceboards 25. Both stringer sides 82, 84 have free lower edges 58 and upperends 59 and board fastening apertures 24. Typically fence boards,especially of wood, vary slightly in width and the width of fence boardslots 18, 19 are sized for the largest predetermined width of standardfence boards 25. FIG. 5 shows the location of gaps 88 between the widthof board slots 19 and the minimum predetermined thickness of standardfence boards before inwardly bent stringer sides 84 are fastened to thefence boards 25.

Accordingly, in order to ensure that all predetermined thicknesses offence boards 25 are held in place for fastening to the stringer sides84, a free lower edge 58 of at least one stringer side 84 of at leastone stringer 80 should be bent (biased) inwardly from vertical adistance of greater than the difference between the width of the boardslots 19 less the narrowest predetermined thickness of the fence boards25 to be inserted into the board slots 19 sufficient for holding thefence boards 25 in place while attaching the fence boards 25 to thestringers 80. Although FIG. 5 shows only one profile of stringer 80wherein upper and lower stringers 80, 80 are reversed such that eachfence board 25 is held in place for fastening by only one inwardlyangled stringer side 84, both opposing stringer sides of both stringersare preferably inwardly angled to increase the holding power of the freelower edges 58 and reduce the pressure required by each stringer side 84to hold the fence board 25 in place for fastening. In this embodimentmetal stringer sides 84 need to be rigid enough to hold fence boards 25for fastening and resilient enough to be able to be drawn substantiallyvertically and flush when fastened to fence boards 25 to providestructural rigidity to the fence section. For example, stringers made ofaluminum of thickness between 0.062 inches to 0.125 inches where thefree lower edges 58 of both opposing stringer sides 84 of both the upperand the lower stringers are bent inwardly a distance of 1/16 inchgreater than the difference between the width of the board slots 19 lessthe narrowest predetermined thickness of the fence boards 25 to beinserted into the board slots 19 are believed to be sufficient forholding the fence boards 25 in place while attaching the fence boards 25to the stringers. FIG. 6 also shows stringers 80 each with intermediateadjoining portion 16 and is identical to FIG. 5 except that inwardlybent stringer sides 84 have been attached to fence boards 25 by boardscrews 21 through board fastening apertures 24 to draw stringer sides 84into substantially vertical flush supporting frictional engagement withfence boards 25 which eliminates gap 88 between the outside surface offence boards 25 in board slots 19 and the inside surface 15 of stringersides 84, which gap is shifted to gap 90 between the inside surfaces offence boards 25 in board slots 19 and the innermost sides 35 of boardslots 19, and which gap 90 is then substantially the same as gap 86 withrespect to fence boards 25 in board slots 18 adjacent vertical stringersides 82.

Turning to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 post brackets 26 are illustrated ashaving an enclosure portion 28, for a square fence post, preferably a3″×3″ hollow aluminum fence post, although other sectional shapes, andother dimensions and materials for fence posts are contemplated. Fenceposts may be hollow, such as in the case of metal fence posts or solidin the case of wood or composite fence posts. However it will beunderstood that the enclosure portion 28 of brackets 26 may also conformto other shapes, including circular form, sized to fit standard sizedcircular-section steel fence posts.

The enclosure portion 28 has an off-set neck portion 30 with opposedneck apertures 32, at least one of which is preferably square forreceiving a carriage bolt 33, to tighten and secure the enclosureportion 28 firmly to a fence post 12. A stringer support 34 ofrectangular tube form extends from the neck portion 30, the stringersupport having an upper surface 37 and lower surface 39, each of whichhaving a corresponding stringer aperture 40, to receive a carriage bolt23.

The upper and lower surfaces 37, 39 of the stringer support 34 areillustrated as preferably having a series of grip ridges 41, to bettersecure stringer support 34 to stringer 10.

The off-setting of the stringer support 34, best seen in FIG. 8, enablesthe post brackets 26 to be inverted, so that a pair of the brackets 26can be mounted together in mutually adjoining relatively reversedrelation upon a fence post 12, to extend each of two stringer supports34 in mutually horizontal aligned relation with the associated stringers10 also being in mutually horizontal aligned relation, due to theinversion of one of the brackets 26 (see FIG. 11). A pair of brackets26, with off-set stringer supports 34, when in inverted relation canextend two stringer supports for a fence post 12 of square section,either at 90 degrees (not shown) or 180 degrees (shown in FIG. 11).

The bracket attachment apertures 22 of fence stringers 10 and stringerapertures 40 of stringer supports 34 of bracket 26 are preferablyattached with carriage bolts 23. Alternatively, other types of bolts maybe used.

In use, the stringers 10 are cut to length for the desired fence, andmay initially be used as ‘meter rods’ for locating the post holes, andsetting the fence posts 12 in place in the ground. With the posts 12securely embedded in the ground, usually in concrete, the post brackets26 are oriented to a desired configuration, such as 180 degrees as shownin FIG. 11, and readily slid down and tightened in gripping relation tothe two end fence posts 12 at the respective desired stringer heightsand bracket orientation to ensure the respective stringers 10 beingmutually level.

A first lower bracket 26 for a first post 12 is secured at apredetermined distance, such as 6 to 8 inches above grade, and a secondlower bracket 26 for a second post is then initially loosely installedat the predetermined distance, to permit ready adjustment whensubsequently leveling the associated stringer.

A first end of a lower stringer is then mounted and loosely secured tothe first lower bracket of the first post.

A second end of the lower stringer is then mounted to the second lowerbracket of the second post, and the second lower bracket is adjustedalong the second fence post to level the stringer, and the second lowerbracket is then tightened in place around the second post.

The first end of the lower stringer is then tightened to the first lowerbracket which is in turn tightened around the first post and thestringer re-checked for levelness.

The upper brackets are usually positioned such that the upper projectingportion of the fence boards will be the same length as the portion ofthe fence boards extending below the lower stringer, i.e. some six toeight inches.

The foregoing procedure can be accomplished by an individual workingsinglehandedly. FIG. 11 also shows cap 48 to divert water.

Installation and attachment of the fence boards can then proceed, asdescribed above. It will be evident that installers working in pairs canproceed much more rapidly. Alternatively, with respect to FIGS. 12, 13,14, and 15, non-offset brackets 50 with enclosure portions 52 may beused wherein the stringer supports 34 are not off-set. Stringer supports34 are connected to enclosure portions 52 by neck 54 which is tightenedto fence posts (not shown) by carriage bolts 34. FIGS. 12 and 13 show(square) non-slotted stringer apertures for use with slotted bracketattachment apertures (not shown) in stringers 10. FIGS. 14 and 15 showstringer supports 34 with slotted stringer apertures 40. In this casedifferent brackets with different numbers of stringer supports arerequired. Bracket 50 may be configured with one stringer support (notshown), for the end of a run of fence. FIG. 12 shows bracket 50 with twostringer supports 34 at 180 degrees for an intermediate post in a run offence. FIG. 13 shows bracket 50 with two stringer supports 34 at 90degrees for a corner fence post. FIG. 14 shows bracket 50 with threestringer supports 34 for a fence post supporting three runs of fence.FIG. 15 shows bracket 50 with four stringer supports 34 for a fence postsupporting four runs of fence. Accordingly, for a four sided fence posta different bracket is required for each of one, two, three, and fourstringer supports, usually at 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees. Further suchnon-set-off brackets are required for applications requiring three orfour stringer supports as the off-set reversed brackets 26 only providelevel stringer supports where two stringer supports are required.

The subject fence is readily maintained, with broken or damaged boardsreadily removed and replaced. Damaged stringers can also be readilyreplaced. In the case of damage or fracture of a fence post, anintermediate sleeve enables a replacement post to be connected to theremainder of the original post footing. Usually the sleeve will beinternal to the damaged original fence post in the ground and the newpost placed thereover, however the sleeve can be external if enough ofan undamaged stub projects from the ground, in which case the new postis inserted into the sleeve (although the external sleeve is typicallyless visually pleasing,

It shall be understood by those skilled in the art that the aboveembodiments are only examples of the invention and other embodiments ofthe subject invention which fall within the scope of the invention andthe appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

PARTS LIST

-   10. Fence stringer-   12. Fence posts-   14. (opposed) Stringer sides-   15. Inside surfaces (of stringer sides)-   16. Intermediate adjoining portion (of stringers)-   18. First set of board slots-   19. Second set of board slots-   20. outermost sides (of board slots)-   21. Board screws-   22. Bracket attachment apertures-   23. Carriage bolt (for connecting stringers to bracket)-   24. Board fastening apertures-   25. Fence Boards-   26. Post brackets-   27. Partial fence board (for partial slot)-   28. Enclosure portion (of post brackets)-   30. Offset neck portion (of bracket)-   32. Neck apertures-   33. Carriage bolt (for tightening enclosure portion about fence    post)-   34. Stringer Support-   35. Innermost sides (of board slots)-   37. Upper surface (of stringer support)-   39. Lower surface (of stringer support)-   40. Stringer aperture-   41. Grip ridges-   46. Endless tensioned band-   48. Fence post cap-   50. Non off-set bracket-   52. Enclosure portion (of non off-set bracket)-   54. Neck (of non off-set bracket)-   56. Non-slotted stringer aperture-   58. Free lower edge (of stringer sides)-   59. Upper end (of stringer sides)-   60. Stringer with outwardly bent stringer sides-   62. Outwardly bent stringer sides-   70. Stringer with inwardly bent stringer sides-   72. Inwardly bent stringer sides-   80. Stringer with one vertical stringer side and one inwardly bent    stringer side-   82. Vertical stringer side-   84. Inwardly bent stringer side-   86. Gap between width of board slot and width of smallest fence    board-   88. Location of gap between width of board slot and fence board    adjacent inwardly angled stringer side before fence board is    fastened vertically to stringer side-   90. Location of gap between width of board slot and fence board    adjacent inwardly angled stringer side after fence board is fastened    vertically to stringer side-   A. Internal angle of inwardly bent stringer sides from horizontal-   B. Internal angle of outwardly bent stringer sides from horizontal

I claim:
 1. A fence stringer comprising: an intermediate adjoiningportion, wherein the intermediate adjoining portion includes a pluralityof bracket apertures, and wherein the bracket apertures are positionedabout an entire length of the fence stringer; and two mutually opposedstringer sides, wherein each of the opposed stringer sides extends fromthe intermediate adjoining portion.
 2. The fence stringer of claim 1,wherein the intermediate adjoining portion includes a plurality of boardslots configured to receive fence boards.
 3. The fence stringer of claim2, wherein each of the opposed stringer sides includes a plurality ofboard fastening apertures, and wherein each board fastening aperture ofthe plurality of board fastening apertures is aligned with one of theplurality of board slots.
 4. The fence stringer of claim 2, wherein theplurality of board slots includes a first set of board slots and asecond set of board slots, and wherein the first set of board slots arelocated in offset arrangement to the second set of board slots.
 5. Thefence stringer of claim 2, wherein an inside surface of the board slotsis flush with one of the two mutually opposed stringer sides.
 6. A fencestringer comprising: an intermediate adjoining portion, wherein theintermediate adjoining portion includes a plurality of boards slotsconfigured to receive fence boards; two mutually opposed stringer sides,wherein each of the opposed stringer sides extends from the intermediateadjoining portion, wherein each of the opposed stringer sides includes aplurality of board fastening apertures, and wherein two of the boardfastening apertures of the plurality of board fastening apertures arealigned with each of the plurality of board slots on each opposedstringer side.
 7. The fence stringer of claim 6, wherein the pluralityof board fastening apertures are configured to receive fasteners.
 8. Thefence stringer of claim 6, wherein an inside surface of each of theboard slots is flush with one of the two mutually opposed stringersides.
 9. The fence stringer of claim 6, wherein the intermediateadjoining portion includes a plurality of bracket apertures, wherein thebracket apertures are positioned about an entire length of the fencestringer.
 10. The fence stringer of claim 6, wherein the plurality ofboard slots includes a first set of board slots and a second set ofboard slots, and wherein the first set of board slots are located inoffset arrangement to the second set of board slots.
 11. A fencestringer comprising: an intermediate adjoining portion, wherein theintermediate adjoining portion includes a plurality of boards slotsconfigured to receive fence boards; and two mutually opposed stringersides, wherein each of the opposed stringer sides extends from theintermediate adjoining portion; wherein an inside surface of the boardslots is flush with one of the two mutually opposed stringer sides. 12.The fence stringer of claim 11, wherein the opposed stringer sidesinclude a plurality of board fastening apertures, and wherein each boardfastening aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of board slots.13. The fence stringer of claim 12, wherein two of the plurality ofboard fastening apertures are aligned with each of the plurality ofboard slots.
 14. The fence stringer of claim 11, wherein the pluralityof board slots includes a first set of board slots and a second set ofboard slots, and wherein the first set of board slots are located inoffset arrangement to the second set of board slots.
 15. The fencestringer of claim 11, wherein the intermediate adjoining portionincludes a plurality of bracket apertures, wherein the plurality ofbracket apertures are positioned about an entire length of the fencestringer.
 16. A fence stringer comprising: an intermediate adjoiningportion, wherein the intermediate adjoining portion includes a pluralityof board slots configured to receive fence boards, wherein theintermediate adjoining portion includes a plurality of bracketapertures, and wherein the bracket apertures are positioned about anentire length of the fence stringer; and two mutually opposed stringersides, wherein each of the opposed stringer sides extends from theintermediate adjoining portion, wherein each of the opposed stringersides includes a plurality of board fastening apertures, and whereineach board fastening aperture of the plurality of board fasteningapertures is aligned with one of the plurality of board slots; whereinan inside surface of the board slots is flush with one of the twomutually opposed stringer sides.
 17. The fence stringer of claim 16,wherein two of the plurality of board fastening apertures are alignedwith each of the plurality of board slots.
 18. The fence stringer ofclaim 16, wherein the plurality of board slots includes a first set ofboard slots and a second set of board slots, and wherein the first setof board slots are located in offset arrangement to the second set ofboard slots.
 19. The fence stringer of claim 18, wherein in ones of thefirst of board slots and ones of the second set of board slots overlap.20. The fence stringer of claim 18, wherein the bracket apertures arelocated between the first set of board slots and the second set of boardslots.